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(11) | EP 1 677 578 A1 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Installation for reheating portioned chilled or frozen snack food products |
| (57) The invention relates to an installation for reheating portioned chilled or frozen
snack food products packaged in a lower and upper hinged package parts: It comprises
a compact oven (13) provided with microwave (63) and infrared (64) heating means located
inside the oven cavity (41). A reader device (34) reads instrucTions label located
on the package. CPU means control the compact oven (13) operation. The oven cavity
(41) is closed by a hinged door (44). In front of the door (44) a schablone/receiver
(28) is disposed and provided with means (49) to open the package. A grill/fork (20)
is located in the cavity (41) and designed to be moved forward and partially outwards
the cavity (41) and take the food product out of the package and move back in the
cavity to reheat the food product and to move forward and put the reheated food product
in the opened package. The schablone/receiver (28) is provided with means (55a,55b,56,57,58,59,60)
controlled by the CPU designed to close the package comprising the heated food product.
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[0001] The present invention relates to an installation for reheating portioned chilled or frozen snack food products packaged in a lower and upper hinged package parts closed by cooperation of snap means, comprising a compact oven provided with microwave and infrared heating means located inside the oven cavity, means for reading a heating instructions label located on the package of the food product and CPU means for controlling the compact oven.
Background of the invention:
[0002] The consumption of individually packaged cold sandwiches and of other snack products for quick consumption is one of the most well established growth markets in the global food industry. Nevertheless, 90% of all products sold in gasoline stations, kiosks, supermarkets, offices or households, are consumed in a cold state. The traditional products consumed in a warm state, like for instance pizzas, paninis, baguette's, toasts, quiches, strudels etc. are still not offered by the industry as separately packaged snack helpings which can be heated in less then one minute by the user/consumer himself at the point of sales or at home.
[0003] What is needed therefore is a system whereby the food industry can distribute frozen or chilled produced single snack portions, for hot or warm consumption, in a functional portion package, whereby the food products are secured during transportation, distribution and packaged in an configuration that they can be easy and attractive put on display at the point of sales or stored at home.
[0004] What is furthermore needed in combination with the functional packaging is a compact convenient to use hybrid re-heating equipment integrated in a compact oven, to heat the food product at the point of sales, or in households, in less then one minute. Further what is needed at the point of sales is an attractive display of the snack products together with the heating device.
[0005] Usually, the packaged or unpackaged food product is introduced by the consumer or the sales personnel inside a heating device. Further a heating period of time the heated food product is taken out the heating device and returned to the consumer with the heated package or if it was heated without the package, it is put back to its original or a new package and returned to the consumer. All these operations are time and staff cost involved. Further, the heating time is not accurately adapted to the food product, the manipulation of the package or the food product does not reply to a correct hygienic handling, the manual operation of the heating device is time consuming and erroneous operation may be occurred. A waste factor of 12 % calculated from the net sales price of the food product, is factored into the consumer sales prices as trade standard, to cover the losses with the existing practice.
Summary of the invention.
[0006] The installation of the present invention aims to avoid the above drawbacks and offer several improvements in this field as that will be clearly evidenced in the description that follows.
[0007] The installation according the present invention is defined in claim 1 and the dependent claims.
[0008] The present invention provides an installation that conveniently distributes, stores, un-packages, reheats, and repackages, snack food product and/or ready made frozen or chilled portion menus in a very short time, at the point of sales or households, or at any other place as for example, supermarket, kiosk, offices, Fast-food restaurants, etc.
[0009] The advantages of the preferred embodiment comprising all the claimed features are the following.
[0010] The installation is a fully automated and save equipment for a variety of hot snack's for self-service but with no staff cost involved.
[0011] The compact oven is provided with a two parts hood which covers and secures the whole equipment during the operation.
[0012] The hybrid heating method, consisting of microwave energy, preferably mono mode energy, in combination with infrared devices, achieve crisp product quality (if it is requested by the characteristics of the food products quality) in an extremely short time, for example from chilled (+5°C) or frozen product conditions (-18°C), to +50° Celsius, heating a frozen ¼ pizza or panini portion with a weight of approx. 140 gr. within 40 to 60 seconds in the expected crisp quality.
[0013] Further the energy needed by the compact oven, is not more than 16 Ampere, therefore economically in a "plug and play" method, everywhere to use.
[0014] The compact oven operation is instructed by heating instructions label apposed on the package with the food product heating parameters to select the optimum combination of the two heating sources, while the needle sensor device allows to analyse and adjust the heating procedure during the heating process, for the optimum final food product reheating quality, and controlling that the heat of the final product is save for the user/consumer.
[0015] The compact oven operates with an automated "in and out" method, taking the snack food product out of the package and into the compact oven's cavity, plus returning the snack food product into the package after the heating process is completed. Reheating without the package eliminates the risk of penetration of chemical substances from the plastic folio-binders/print colours etc., into the snack food products during a heating process. To achieve crispness, which is necessary for 80% of all hot snack food products i.e. (paninis, strudels, pizzas etc.) the heat of 280-320 °C, generated with infrared has to penetrate directly the food products surface (without the package), to dry it out, removing the moist, thereby making it crisp.
[0016] Different shaped food products can be reheated allowing maximum versatility with the installation thanks to the shape of the schablone/receiver.
Brief description of the drawings
[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view partially open of the compact oven.
Figure 2 is a front view of the compact oven.
Figure 3 is a side view of the two parts hood.
Figure 4 is a plan view of a package on the schablone/receiver.
Figure 5 is a partial side view of the needle sensor device.
Figure 6 is a schematic perspective view of a package.
Figure 7 is a back view of a package with the food product on the schablone/receiver.
Figure 8 is a plan view of the lower part of the package.
Figure 9 is a front view of a package.
Figure 10 is a partial cross-section of the "hook-on-hole".
Figure 11 is a perspective view of the "hook-on-hole".
Figure 12 is a front cross-section of the "hook-on-hole" with the "hook-on-bolt".
Figure 13 is a side view of the package on the schablone/receiver.
Figure 14 is side view of the package on the schablone/receiver and the device to close the package.
Figure 15 is a side view of a package tower.
Figures 16 and 17 are side and front schematic view of packaged food products sales structure with the compact oven.
Detailed description of the preferred embodiments
[0019] The main features of the preferred embodiment of the compact oven will be described with the help of figures 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5. The operative mode of some parts will be described in other sections.
[0020] The compact oven 13 comprises a box 13a in the cavity 41 of which are housed various elements. CPU means controls the operation of each element of the installation and a display. The display screen 42, is used for handling instructions, and/or error messages to consumers and/or technicians. An infrared sensor 1 controls the opening of a two parts hood 31 (fig. 3). The hood is made of strong see through material (PVC or glass). At least two but preferably four infrared heating means 64 are disposed above and below a grill/fork 20. The compact oven is also provided with a mono mode energy microwave heating means 63.
[0021] The grill/fork 20 comprising several rods 21a, 21b and 21c is provided for receiving the food product to heat.. The shown grill/fork comprises eight rods. Each rod has a diameter of about four mm. The rods and inner part of the cavity 41 are treated with nanotechnology surface treatment preventing grease or any burned leftovers to stick on them. The inner rods 21 c situated between a left and a right outwards rods 21 a, 21b are provided with means allowing them to move up and down by approximately 1 cm. The grill/fork 20, is integral with an oscillating table 62 controlled by a gear motor 62. The table is able to move frontward, backward and sideward. Brush rollers 65a and 65b allow to clean the rods 21a, 21b and 21c. The brush rollers rotate contrary to each other. The brush rollers move up and down similar to a car wash system. Each brush roller has a mudguard to which the food leftovers are hurled against, and drop from there into a waste collector 66. A ventilator 68 avoids spoiling sizzling food and allows a better distribution the heat in the cavity 41. Three needle sensors 53 (fig 5) allow to analyse the temperature and humidity of the food product before and during the heating process. They are designed to move up and down and to follow the oscillations of the table 62 during the heating process.
[0022] The box 13a is closed by door 44 which is adjusted on hinges mounted from top, and the opening and closing movement of the door 44 is assisted by two arms 44a, 44b, (left and right) connected to the door 44, with a gear motor 60, underneath the door 44.
[0023] In front of the door 44 a multi shape schablone/receiver 28 is disposed. A metal frame 3 and a closing package flap 50 are integrated. The closing flap 50, runs parallel to the multi shape schablone/receiver 28, outer side and is attached with two arms 55a (left) 55b (right), to the frame, and connected by an axle 56, underneath in the middle of the multi shape schablone/receiver 28. The axle 56, is powered by the same gear motor 60, as for the door 44. Once the door 44 is closed, the gear motor 60 powering the axle 56, is pulling with a spiral system the inner plastic schablone part towards the door 44, releasing the springs and ball bearings 59, and the closing flap 50, which moves the "tab catcher" 57 in a half circle upward and downward. A "hook on bolt" 49 is disposed in the border between the door opening and the schablone/receiver 28. It is designed to move up and down and it is provide with a head (fig 12) designed to be radially extended. A reader device 34 is situated under the schablone/receiver 28 to read the instructions label apposed under the package
[0024] The multi shape schablone/receiver 28( fig. 4) sits in the metal frame 3, with inside measures of approx. 23cm x 23cm, x 15mm high, and is made of plastic. The inside of the multi shape schablone/receiver 28, corresponds to the different shapes of the food packages and is made of plastic material. The triangular pizza portions package shape 28a, measuring on the round outer side 22cm wide x 16cm long, is formed into the multi shape schablone/receiver 28. In the same manner the shape of the paninis portion package shape 28b, which are approx. 22cm long x 8cm wide, is formed into the schablone/receiver 28. The ready made menu package 28c, measuring 22cm x 22cm covers the whole of the multi shape schablone receiver 28. The positive matrix/relief's of the ribs (see below the package description), in the lower package's part, of the different food packages, is repeated in a negative matrix/relief's 2, in the multi shape schablone/receiver 28, bottom pattern. Therefore the different shaped food packages can not be wrongly placed in the multi shape schablone/receiver 28.
[0025] The package 14, enclosing the food product 14a, (1/4 pizza, quiches, pie, panini, etc.) is made of an upper package part 17, and a reflective lower package part 18, hinged 27, on the rearward wall. The upper and lower portions are formed to match the shape of the food products 14a, but could have any other shape. In the description hereafter, triangular, for pizzas, pies, etc., and rectangular for paninis, baguette, strudel's, are used. The food package 14 can be a made of materials like polypropylene or carton, compressed paper etc., or any combination of materials.
[0027] The food package 14 has a lower part 17 and an upper part 18 linked by reward hinge 27. The hinge 27 is elastically deformed in close position of the package. Three fixations pointers 29 are integrated. in the upper part 18. The fixation pointers 29, are approximately 8mm long and sting from the top into the underneath placed food product 14a, by this, centring the food product in the package 14, during the distribution, until it is used on the point of sales, with the compact oven 13. The fixation pointers 29, pierce into the food product 14a, at the same spots where the analysis needles 53, from the compact oven 13, pierce into the food product 14a, during the heating process. In the lower package part 18, ribs 19 are formed and integrated, which have the function to elevate the snack food 14a, above the outside boards of the lower package part 18, allowing the rods 21, from the grill fork 20, to pass between them. The ribs 19, rise 7-10 mm above the borders of the lower packages part 18. The positive formed ribs 19, in the lower package part 18, are repeated and matched by the negative ribs from the multi shape schablone/receiver 28. This ensures the correct positioning of the package 14, in a "no error position". The reader device 34, has only access to the code bar of the instructions label 25, at the bottom of the lower part 18 of the package 14, and is able to recognize and activate the installation, if the package 14, is properly placed, therefore matching with the ribs 19, and the form from the multi shape schablone/receiver 28, matrix.
[0028] In another function, the ribs 19, diminish the risk that the food product 14a, sticks to the food package 14, during a frozen distribution stage, which could happened if the food product would sit on a flat surface. In addition, the ribs 19, reinforce the strength of the food package's 14, structure.
[0029] The package container 14, has stapling/stacking nipples 30, to assemble the package portions 14, in "snack towers''12 (fig 15), configuration at the factory, for attractive later display in freezer cabinets 15 (fig 16, 17), or fresh food sections, at the point of sales in supermarkets, gasoline Stations, kiosk and for stapling or storing them in the freezers or frigidaires at the household's.
[0030] The food package 14 has a hole, the "hook on hole" 46, which is punched into the upper and lower package's tabs, 47a and 47b, to fix and hold the food package 14, to the multi shape schablone/receiver 28, during the automated in and out feeding of the food product 14a in cooperation with the "hook on bolt" 49. In the food package's 14, tabs 47a and 47b, at the inward side of the "hook on hole" 46, are nipples 45a and 45b (fig 10), of approx. 15mm long, 5mm wide, and 4mm high, formed into the "hook on hole's" 46, inward form. The two nipples 45a (upper positive nipple) and 45b, (lower part negative nipple) are clicked into each other, holding the upper and lower parts 17, 18, together and thereby the package 14 closed. The inside of the "hook on hole's" 46, upper and lower part have the form of half open lips an upper lip 48a, and a lower lip 48b (fig 9), to allow easy access between the two parts, for the "hook on bolt" 49.
[0031] The instructions label 25 bears a bar code, corresponding to the individually encoded optimum heating parameters and processing instructions (heat force, source, time), per individual food item. The bar code, is recognised and read by the reader device 34. The bar code may be printed directly on the lower package's bottom 18. The bar code initiates also the start and finish program of the installation. The reader 34 is adjusted in such an angle that he is only able to read the instructions label 25, when the food package's 14, ribs 19, are matched and fit into the ribs from the multi shape schablone/receiver 28, indicating that a package 14, is in the correct position, to be reheated.
[0032] In another advantage, the package 14, includes an "all in pack" eating utensil 24, adding the possibility, for a napkin/label 23, fork etc. A recess in the upper part 17, of the food package 14, allows room for a napkin/label 23, and an eating utensil 24, (pp. fork, knife, or spoon) which are held in place and hygienically covered in the recess by the napkin/label 23. On the napkin/label 23, the product identifying, UPC and legal marketing information are printed. The napkin/label 23, is wrapped around the lower and upper part 18 of the package 14, and covers the instructions label 25. Once the napkin/label 23, is pulled of the food package 14, the bar code label 25 is exposed.
[0033] The hygienic and tamper proof safety control, is secured with the napkin/label 23, wrapped around the package 14, which, once ripped open, can not be repaired, and makes it obvious that the package 14, was opened or mismanaged.
[0035] The two parts hood 31 has the first important function to protect the user or consumer from any heat or mechanical related injury, by covering the total forefront and top of the compact oven 13. The second function of the hood 31 is the protection of the compact oven 13, and the automation of the multi shape schablone/receiver 28, from mishandling or mismanagement and to keep compact oven equipment clean. The hood is activated by an infrared sensors trigger 1, for opening. Once the opening symbol (i.e. human hand with wave symbols, similar to toilet hand dryers etc.) approached and activated, the hood slides upwards 31 a, thereby exposing the multi shape schablone/receiver 28, and the door 44. The user has now access to the multi shape schablone/receiver 28, to place the food package 14, into the multi shape schablone/receiver 28. When the package is correctly positioned on the schablone receiver the reader device 34 reads the instructions label 25 bearing the individually encoded optimum heating parameters and processing instructions (heat force /source / focus/ time), per different food item and starts the automated heating process. In case the food package 14, is removed from the multi shape schablone/receiver 28, (or for any other reasons/damaged package etc.) before the reader device 34 is able read the food instructions label 25, the hood 31 will secure the totality of the compact oven 13, forefront by closing.
[0036] The "hook on bolt" 49 which has the same shape as the "hook on holes" 46 and form as the different food packages 14, but is smaller, in an upward movement go through the "hook on hole" 46 and opens the food package 14. The different shaped packages have one common feature, which is, that they all have a "hook on hole" 46 in the same shape, at the same spot, same size, and form, allowing the "hook on bolt" 49, to move through. Once the "hook on bolt" 49, has moved through the "hook on hole" 46, and is at his highest point of his upward movement, the "hook on bolt" 49, which is vertically sliced in the middle, expands radially his head (fig 12) with the help of a spring 49a, by 3 to 4 mm, and moves between the packages upper 47a and lower 47b tabs. By the pressure generated through the expanded head of the bolt 49, the tabs are released and the upper part of the package 17 springs open and the lower part of the package 18 is now fixed and hooked by the expanded head of the "hook on bolt" 49, to the multi shape schablone/receiver 28. By the pressure created by the expansion of the "hook on bolt" 49 head part with the spring 49a, the nipples 45a, 45b are released and as a result, the tension arising from the elastically deformed rearward hinge 27 the upper part 17 spring opens in an angle of approx. between 35- 45°, and give access to the food product 14a.
[0037] The CPU has the optimum heating quality parameters per food product 14a, programmed and stored. Once the reader device 34 starts transferring the coded cooking instructions the safety hood 31 closes. Only now, when the double hood 31 has secured the totality of the compact oven 13 forefront the door 44 opens into the inside of the cavity 41. Once the /door 44 is fully opened, the grill/fork 20 starts moving from the inside of the cavity 41 through the door 44 in direction where the food package 14 is placed in the schablone/receiver 28.
[0038] By the movement of the empty grill fork 20 to take the food product 14a, from the package 14, and on it's empty way back, once the heated food product 14a was deposed in the food package 14, one brush roller 65a, is descending from above, and another brush roller 65b is arriving from below, squeezing the rods 21, between themselves, brushing of food leftovers.
[0039] The grill/fork 20 moves forward to take the food product 14a from the lower package ribs 19 until the tips of the rods 21a to 21c are in contact with the hinge 27 of the package 14. The inner rods 21c in an upward movement by approx. 1cm lift the food product 14a from the ribs 19 of the lower package 18 while the two outwards (left and right) positioned rods 21a, 21b do not move upwards to prevent the package to move up with the food product 14a. The grill/fork 20 retracts with the food product into the cavity 41. The oven door 44 closes. Once the heating process is finished the procedure, by operating the same way, continues now in contrary movements, deposing and returning the food product 14a in it's package 14.
[0040] The three needle sensors 53 move down and pierce into the food product 14a, on the same spots where the fixation/pointers 29 did centre and hold the food product 14a.. Two of the needles 53 pierce into the outer sides, the third needle into the centre of the food product 14a. The needles 53 measure the food products 14a temperature, density, and humidity and direct the grill/fork 20 and the turntable 62, for the best heat penetration exposure. The data are permanently compared with the optimum heating quality parameters stored in the CPU, which then according to the sensed data, calculates, selects and activates the heat source, operating either the microwave magnetron 63, or the infrared device 64, allocates the time per heat source, and directs the grill/fork 20 with the help of the oscillating 62, for the best heat exposure for the food product 14a. The heating quality analysis with the needles 53 provides the versatility to makes it possible to heat snack food products 14a which have different products temperatures at the start, to reheat with the same equipment, operating from minus -20° Celsius for deep frozen to fresh snack food products temperatures of + 5° to +24° Celsius. The needles sensors 53 measure at the three different spots the characteristics at the start and during the heating period comparing the data with the stored optimum heating quality parameters. The lower infrared devices 64 are not permanently underneath the grill/fork 20 but can be moved with a 45° swing mechanic against the cavity's 41 inner wall. They will be moved underneath the food product for more heat from below only if needed. Very greasy food products 14a will be placed in sulphide paper capsules, to protect the cavity 41 against soiling. To place the food product in sulphide paper capsules before packing them into the polypropylene package might be necessary for food products where parts of the food might melt and drip during the heating process, for example pizzas with cheese topping. For the same reason and in order to reduce the sizzling or sprinkling of hot grease from cheese toppings etc. a small, air circulating ventilator 68, will blow from above onto the food product 14a, pressing the eventually sizzling food material back onto the pizza slice etc. The needle sensors 53 move with the grill/fork 20 in backward, forward and sideward movements holding the food product 14a at the same time in place. The heating elements in the compact oven 13 and the inner cavity 41 dimensions reflect the schablone/receivers shape 28 with economic space dimensions, to concentrate the maximum heat directly on the food product 14a. This reduces the heating time and energy by 65%, compared to the heating instructions provided by the food producers. Furthermore it allows controlled browning and crispiness when and where requested. Heating elements, in the form of mono mode microwave technology are combined and used together with infrared devices as heating sources. Moving the food product 14a adjacent to a mono mode microwave guide allows the electronic waves generated by the magnetrons to scan the food product 14a, so that a homogeneous heat distribution in the food product 14a takes place. The needles 53 have also the most important function to stop the heating procedure, when the food product 14a has reached a certain temperature, for example 55° Celsius, to avoid that the user or consumer might burn himself with an over heated food product 14a. The appropriate and efficient combination is predetermined and tested then adjusted and coded to the food products 14a and controlled through the needles 53.
[0041] In order to respond with the compact oven 13 to company related (Fast food operators for Hamburgers, spring rolls etc.) or other ethnic/national food producers preferences, for different sizes, shapes, weight etc., the compact oven 13 operator, needs only to remove the inner plastic part of the multi shape schablone/receiver 28, and exchange with a multi shape schablone/receiver, made to his preferred form and weight of food and package 14. The inner plastic part of the schablone/receiver 28, is fixed with snap on springs and ball bearings 59, between the metal frame 3, and the inner plastic part of the schablone/receiver 28, and is easy replaced with another variety of a schablone/receiver. As the rods 21a to 21c have the same norms when moving through the lower ribs 19, in the same channels, the rest of the procedure with another product shape is executed as before. The programming and coding must be regarded and added. The variety and flexibility solution eases food product 14a changes and enhances the marketing opportunities profoundly.
[0042] Once the needles sensors 53 give the signal that the heating process is finished, the needles 53 retract upwards and release the food product 14a. Then the grill/fork 20 moves forward and the door 44 opens. The grill/fork 20 moves with the heated food product 14a sitting on the rods into the food package 14, which rested in the schablone/receiver 28. The package's upper part 17, which is still open by 35° to 40° allows the grill/fork 20 to move with the rods 21 above the ribs 19 of the lower part 18. A downward movement of the rods 21c places the food product 14a on the ribs 19.. During the whole time the "hook on bolt" 49 did hold on to the package's lower part 18, with the expanded bolt's 49 top. Now the grill/fork 20 retracts back into the cavity 41 and the door 44 closes. The heated food product 14a is placed in the package 14 whilst the upper part of the package 17 is still open because of the tension from hinge 27.
[0043] The closing flap 50 runs parallel to outer side of the schablone/receiver 28 and is attached with two arms 55a (left) 55b (right) to the frame 3 and connected by an axle 56, underneath in the middle of the schablone/receiver 28. The axle 56 and the two arms are powered by the same gear motor 60 as for the door 44. Once the door 44 is finally closed, the gear motor, powering the axle 56, is pulling with a spiral system the inner plastic part of the schablone/receiver which is centred into the metal frame 3, by the ball bearings sitting on the springs, towards the door 44, releasing the closing flap 50. The closing flap in a half circle upward and downward movement catches with the "tab catcher" 57, the package's upper part tab 47a (from the backside) and brings it down on the package's lower part tab 47b. The nipples 45a and 45b are reengaged and close the food package 14. At the same time the hook on bolt 49, is pushed back and levelled into the schablone/receiver 28, pushed by the knob 58 of the closing flap 50.
[0044] As the rectangular panini food package 14, are exactly half the size as the Pizza triangle's, food package 14 and as the packages have the common feature that the "hook on hole" 46 is in the same shape and size at the same spot, the "tab catcher" 57 and the knob 58 are able to catch and close the different size and shape packages 14. The hot food product 14a is now repackaged, properly placed, into the food package 14, and closed. The user or consumer can take it now without risk to burn the fingers, as the food package 14 remained at room temperature, and stayed outside of the compact oven 13, and because the rib's 19 and the fixation pointers 29 prevent the hot food product 14a to touch the two surfaces of the package 14.
[0045] The gear motor 60 pulls with the axle 56 and the attached flap arms 55a, 55b the inner plastic schablone/receiver 28, by 3-4 mm towards the compact oven 13. By the pressure generated by the horizontal pulling/pushing, of the inner plastic schablone/receiver 28 against the metal frame 3, the snap on springs 59 with the ball bearings release the inner plastic part of schablone/receiver 28, and elevate it by 15mm on the outer side. As the schablone/receiver 28 is elevated from the outer side and inclines by 4-5° towards the door 44, the food package 14 is now in a perfect position for convenient take out by the user or consumer. When the reader device 34 no longer detects the instructions label 25, indicating that the food package 14 has been removed from the schablone/receiver 28, the hood 31, slides down covering and protecting the compact oven, and the schablone/receiver 28.
[0046] The multi shape schablone/receiver 28 inner plastic part remains in this outer side elevated loading position, making sure that any new food package 14, put on the multi shape schablone/receiver 28, will glide by itself by the 4-5° angle into the correct placement position in front of the door 44 above the hook on bolt 49. With a new start, the axle presses in a push movement the inner plastic schablone/receiver back into the metal frame 3.
1. Installation for reheating portioned chilled or frozen snack food products packaged
in a lower and upper hinged package parts closed by cooperation of snap means, comprising
a compact oven provided with microwave and infrared heating means located inside the
oven cavity, means for reading a heating instructions label located on the package
of the food product and CPU means for controlling the compact oven, characterized in that the compact oven cavity is closed by a hinged door controlled by the CPU means, in that in front of the door a schablone/receiver shaped to receive and accurately arrange
the packaged food product and provided with means to open the package of the food
product, in that the oven cavity is provided with a grill/fork device provided with means allowing
the grill/fork device under the CPU control to be moved forward and partially outwards
the oven cavity and take the food product out of the package and move back in the
cavity to reheat the food product and to move forward and put the reheated food product
in the opened package, in that the schablone/receiver is provided with means controlled by the CPU designed to close
the package comprising the heated food product, by pressing down the upper part of
the package until the snap means are reengaged.
2. Installation according to claim 1, characterised in that the oven cavity is provided with a ventilator to avoid spoiling sizzling food.
3. Installation according to one of the claims 1 or 2, characterised in that the grill/fork device is integral with a oscillating table.
4. Installation according to one of the claims 1 to 3, characterised in that at least one of the infrared devices is designed to swing by approximately 45° between
underneath and above the grill/fork device.
5. Installation according to one of the claims 1 to 4, characterised in that the cavity is provided with a needle sensor device controlled by the CPU means and
designed to penetrate the food product to sense temperature and humidity parameters
of the product before and during the heating to stop or to extend heating of the product
identified by the label code.
6. Installation according to claim 6, characterised in that the needle sensor device comprises three needles one penetrating into the middle
part of the food product and the others near the side.
7. Installation according to one of the claims 1 to 6, characterised in that the grill/fork device comprises several rods and that a cleaning device is provided
between the door of the oven and the grill/fork device.
8. Installation according to the claim 7, characterised in that rods situated between the outwards rods are designed to move up and down.
9. Installation according to one of the claims 1 to 8, characterised in that the schablone/receiver is provided with means designed to elevate the distal edge
of an inner plastic part of the schablone/receiver to allow easy pick up of the packaged
heated food product.
10. Installation according to one of the claims 1 to 9, characterised in that the oven and the schablone/receiver are housed inside a two parts hood a part of
which is fixed and the second one controlled by the CPU means swings between a first
position allowing one to have access to the oven and schablone/receiver and a second
position preventing one from having access to them.
11. Installation according to one of the claims 1 to 10, characterised in that the lower package part is provided with ribs allowing to elevate the food product
above the outside edges of the lower package part, said ribs match with corresponding
ribs of the schablone/receiver to accurately positioning the package on the latter.
12. Installation according to one of the claims 1 to 11, characterised in that each of the two package parts is provided with a "hook on hole" opposed to the hinged
edges, and provided with matching nipples allowing to be clicked into each other and
hold the package in closed condition.
13. Installation according to one of the claims 1 to 12, characterised in that the hinge is elastically deformed in closed condition of the package.
14. Installation according to one of the claims 1 to 13, characterised in that the upper package part is provided with integrated pointers stinging from the inside
face of the upper package part into the underneath food product allowing to hold centred
the food product.
15. Installation according to claim 12, characterised in that the schablone/receiver is provided near the door of the oven with a bolt designed
to be moved upwards and downwards, the dimension of which match the dimensions of
the "hook on hole" in the upwards position the bolt prevents the package from moving,
and in that the bolt is provided with a head designed to be radially extended to disengage the
"hook on hole" nipples.
16. Installation according to one of the claims 1 to 15, characterised in that the schablone/receiver comprises a metal frame supporting an inner detachable plastic
part allowing uncomplicated change of shape, size or weight, by the inner plastic
schablone/receiver with easy cleaning and maintenance, plus maximum flexibility for
the resellers or household's convenience.